BESSES O' TH' BARN

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 360, 11 April 1910, Page 4

BESSES O' TH' BARN

A MIMICAL TliU Ml'll. The paiked house lhat greeted our old trie.ids, "The Besses,' at t4e "lhe* atre lioyal was only what everybody expected to see—or, at least, wfiat was expected by all those who were privileged to hear this famous and unrivalled touring combination upon their previous visit. Although at that time looked upon as the very finest band that could he produced, it is the opinion now tliat tiie protracted tour has given tiiem even greater skill, harmony ami tone, owing to the almost constant playrng. iV personnel of the hand has been strengthened by the inclusion of a couple of new players. Having said this, it should be quite unnecessary to' >ny more, but, again, it is <|iiitc an tinpossibility to pass by Saturday night's concert without referring to one or twoof the most pleasing item-, in a piOgramiiie that was nothing short of wonderful. 'lhe audience was demonstratively appreciative, and Mr. Owen, the conductor, was very liberal in his encores, the programme being almost doubled in length as n result. The Taranaki Garrison Band played hi Devon street before the concert. The highest' pitch of excitement and applause was. reached during the euphonium nolo, ''Jenny Jones," by Mr. E. P. Kerry, the music arranged by the conductor so as to give the soloist every opportunity of displaying his perfect conception of the theme, the full rich lone nnd cor-' rectness of technique. Av encore in thisJ case failed to satisfy the audi'ence, who were entirely captivated by the instrument. Just as skilful was Mr. W. Ryder's treatment of quite a different piece of music, ''Arbucklenian" (Hartmann). and the audience listened with tense interest to the end, when, uncontrollable applause bn;'st forth. Itwas a perfect performance—one of those which Ims made Mr. Ryder's, fame a; a cornetist. hi several of the selections the solos, thrown into relief by *> perfectly timed and balanced accompaniment, were a treat, the trombone parts in Round's fantasia on "National Airs" being particularly brilliant. This item, of course, went right home, from the fact that most of the tunes embodied in it were known to the audience—always a great point in favor 0 f the performer. The "Meyerbeer"' march, with which the programme opened was an arrangement by Mr Owen, and the piece wafi brilliantly and spiritedly played. One could not fail to be struck by the marvellous and unerring precision in the attack. a precision that would be of vast advantage to any colonial content band, but which is so very often lacking. It is ridiculous, however, to expect such playing- from any except those men w!iO i practically make music their life. The remaining four selections were all musical feats, and the programme'was splendidly compiled, m as to give us a taste of the band's quality in almost every conceivable phrasing and blending. Nothing like "The Besses" combination has ever toured the Dominion, and possibly many years will roll by before we are thus privileged again.

This afternoon at the Recreation Grouml the Besses will appear in the open air. weather and other circumstances .permitting. Should the raf) continue, the concert will be presented at the Theatre Royal, due notification of which will lie announced at the gates. The programme for the aflemoon has been carefully selected, and includes some real musical gems. Given fine weather a large concourse of people should assemble on the ground. Amongst the numbers for this afternoon are:— March, "Tannhau>'er"; overture, "Zampa"; duet (cornet and trombone) "Miserere Scene from H Trovatore" (Messrs Pyatt and Weedall); selection, "Beethoven-': waltz, "Merry Widow"; selection. "William Tell": valse. "Marguerite": fantasia. "Reminiscences of Wales." The general charge for admis{sion will be one shilling. In the evening, at the Theatre Royal, a programme of rare excellence will be -übr,lifted by "The T'csscs.'' This will * constitute their farewell appearance here. Following is the programme:— March. "Round the World"; overture, "Semiramide''; cornet solo, "Cleopatra' - (u'oloif.t. Mr. W. Rvder); selection. "Heroic"; intermezzo. "Rococo"; euphonium solo, "Air Varied" (soloist. Mr. E. P. Kerry): selection. "Reminiscences of Tsohaikowsky"; fantasia, "Memories of . Britain."

The plan for thk evening is now open at the Collier Piano Co. Sales will commence at ? n.m.